Display rack



F. K; CARMICHAEL 1,726,537

DISIIILAY RACK Filed Feb. 2, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept.'3, 1929.

. INVENTOR F A. CAEM/CHAEL.

I ATTORNEYS Sept. 3, 1929. F. K. CARMICHAEL DISPLAY RACK Filed Feb. 2,1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l-II IW II! FA. CA EM/CHAEL ATTORNEY PatentedSept. 3, 1929.

UNITED STATES FRANK K. CARMICHAEL, F CORONA, NEW YORK. I

DISPLAY RACK.

Application filed February This invention relates to a display device orrack and particularly to a device for exhibiting magazines or otherperiodicals.

In the sale of magazines, newspapers,

charts or other publications, the proper display of the article plays animportant part.

Ordinarily, magazines, books or the like are displayed by arrangement oncounters in overlapping rows or provided with clips and suspended onstrings about sales booths.

Owing to the vast number of different publications, it is difficult toproperly dispose all the different articles in a conspicuous manner andfurthermore, the arrangement of the magazines, etc., is a time consumingand laborious operation. Usually it is necessary for the vender toarrange his magazines each morning and to take them down at closingtime.

An object of the present invention is, there fore, to provide a simpleand effective means for quickly and conveniently placing uzines or likearticles on display.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable device for thedisplay of magazines or the like.

Another object of the invention is to pro- 'vide a device having meansso arranged and constructed as to provide a predetermined order ofprominence for the certain selected articles to be displayed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be understood as thedescription proceeds.

The invention is applicable for use in connection with all forms ofpublications and the word periodicals as used throughout the spec--.ification and claims, is intended to be construed as coveringmagazines, newspapers, charts, pamphlets and the like.

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a display a board or rack constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the opposite side of the board shown inFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front viewof another form of display rack embodying thepresent inventive idea;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of aportion of the rack taken on line4-4 in Fig. 3; and,

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of one of 2, 1928. Serial No. 251,249.

played by positioning the board or rack in front of a store or salesbooth.

For the purpose of holding magazines or the like, the rack is providedwith spring fingers or clamps and as shown in Fig. 1, support rods orshafts 12 may be secured to the board 10 by having the ends of theshafts bent at right angles and embedded in the board. Along the shaftsare provided spring fingers or clips 13 comprised in the presentconstruction of wires bent to form helical springs 14 about the shaftsintermediate the ends of an angular member 15, the said member havingits ends looped about the shafts. Each of the members 15 is held undertension by reason of the springs 14, one end of which engages the member15, the other end being secured in the board. With this construction ofclips, it will be evident that the shafts 12 may be easily applied inany desired space relation and the clips 13 may be provided in anysuitable number and given space relation. Fig. 1 shows one sucharrangement whereby magazines of various sizes may be held for display,it being possible to give certain selected magazines positions ofprominence over others. Fig. 2 shows a plurality of sets of shafts 12arranged for holding a plurality of given size magazines while at thetop of the board and in the most desirable location, a pair ofindependent clips 16 and 17 are shown including short shafts 18, thegeneral construction being the same as the clips previously described.

Figs. 3 to 5 show another form of the present invention in which anupright or standard 20 is employed and provided with suitable supportinglegs 21. Along the standard and in vertical spaced relation are provideda plurality of holders or clips 22. Each holder-consists of a continuouspiece of wire or rod having a loop or elbow 23, the ends of which arebent to helical form to provide *springs 24 having ends 25 threaded andexarticles may be held not only for display but for vending purposes.

In addition to the standard for holding and displaying articles the samemay be equipped with a cross-piece 29 having a plurality ofgripping-members or clips 30 disposed in spaced relation along thelength thereof.

The said clips 30 may be of similar construction and mounted on a shaftor rod 31. Each of the clips 30 may comprise a length of wire bent toprovide a gripper-finger 32 having portions bent to helical form toprovide springs 33 surrounding the shaft 31. The ends of the finger maybe embedded in the cross-piece thus causing the gripper-fingers tonormally press upon the cross-piece.

In the display of magazines or the like, it is desirable in certaincases to elevate the articles as, for example, in crowded thoroughfaresso that the articles may be seen above the heads of the persons in closeproximity to the rack or stand. Heretofore, it has been foundinconvenient to arrange aricles in an elevated position smce 1t wasnecessary to position the articles above normal reach to secure them inplace.

For the purpose of aiding in the disposition of the magazines in thepresent elevated rack, each clip 30 is provided with a lever 34: havingone arm attached to a drop cord or rod 35 and the other arm secured tothe gripper-finger 32 by a link 36.

A downward pull on the rod 35 will act to lift the gripper-finger forthe reception of a magazine and a release of the rod will cause thegripper-finger to secure the magazine or other article. I

The advantage of the last mentioned means for the display of elevatedarticles will be evident when it is appreciated that, whereas, it isnormally impossible for the average height attendant to reach the clipsto open them to secure an article, he may by means of the rod 35, openthe clip and by grasping a magazine at its lower end may quickly andconveniently insert the upper end under the clip. This operation may berepeated without the usual fatigue which has heretofore accompanied thedaily arrangement of magazines.

It is to be understood that the cross-piece as shown in Fig. 3 is onlyone example of its use. Many other uses will readily suggest themselves,for instance, strips of longer length than the said cross-piece may bedisposed along. the upper edge of a booth or in a store whereperiodicals are sold to facilitate the disposition of articles overhead.Furthermore the rods 35 need not project below the edge of the averagesize magazine so that when the magazine is in place, the rod will beinvisible.

The present invention makes it possible for a salesman or book-storeattendant to quickly and conveniently display a large number of articlesin conspicuous positions.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and describedherein, it is to be understood that modifications may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An article holder comprising a continuous wire member formed with agripping finger extending from one side of helical spring portions, saidspring portions having ends terminating in support members to receiveand support the Weight of articles held from downward movement by saidgripping finger.

2. A display and vending device comprising a standard, a plurality ofarticle holders disposed in an elevated position on said standard andmeans depending from said article holders for actuating the same for thereception and release of articles.

3. A display and vending device comprising a standard, a plurality ofarticle holders disposed in an elevated position on said standard, eachof said article holders comprising a spring-pressed finger for holdingarticles in position, and means connected to each finger and dependingtherefrom for actuating said fingers against the action of the springsthereon.

4. A display and vending device comprising a standard, a transverse barsecured to the upper part of said standard, a plurality of springpressed fingers secured to said transverse bar for holding articles fordisplay firmly against said bar, a lever supported by said bar andhaving one end engaging each of said fingers, and means depending fromthe other end of said lever for actuating said spring pressed fingers.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

FRANK K. GARMIOHAEL.

